Dmytro Hunts, a Ukrainian artist, is celebrated for his evocative depictions of cities and towns, primarily utilizing dry pastel on paper as his medium. Around nine years ago, having mastered this intricate technique—as well as working with oil and watercolor—he turned his attention to painting lively scenes inspired directly by his experiences outdoors. His travels have resulted in landscapes of varied places: Crimea (prior to its occupation), Amsterdam, Paris, London, and several cities across Bulgaria, Spain, and Sweden. Since making Lithuania his home in 2022, Hunts has concentrated on portraying Vilnius and other towns and villages across the country.
As a member of the Union of Ukrainian Artists, Hunts received scholarships in both 2022 and 2023 from the Lithuanian Culture Council, which supports Ukrainian artists seeking refuge in Lithuania. He is widely respected for his rigorous plein air approach, relying exclusively on observation from life—a practice that gives his art a striking vitality. His city scenes stand out for their expressiveness and variety, depicting diverse weather and lighting: sunlit avenues, rain-soaked streets, and fluctuating shadows. Throughout these works, he maintains faithful representations of architectural landmarks such as churches, palaces, and residences. Random figures passing through the scenes add a dynamic sense of time and liveliness.
Born in 1958 in Lviv, Ukraine, Dmytro Hunts attended the Lviv State Institute of Applied and Decorative Arts from 1980 to 1986. In 2005, he became a member of the Union of Artists of Ukraine, and from 2007 to 2010, he served as chairman of the section for painters in Lviv. His artistic achievements include a silver medal at the Archipos Kuindis painting competition held in Mariupol in 2007, and, in 2008, he received a Letter of Honor from the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture in recognition of his contributions to youth and student festivals in Lviv.
Hunts has presented his work in many major solo exhibitions. Notable examples include "From West to East" at the Lviv Palace of Arts (2018), "Paintings, Pastel" at Art 13 Gallery in Lviv (2013), and, together with Igor Zavozin, "Fern Flower" at the Lviv Chamber of Artists (2012). In recent years, his exhibitions have increasingly reflected his involvement with Lithuanian culture—for instance, "Lithuanian Motifs" at both the Molėtai art gallery and Antakalnis Gallery in Vilnius (2022, 2023), and "Urbanist Landscape" at the LDS project space in Vilnius (2023). By participating in plein air gatherings such as "Alaušo Pleneras" in Sudeikiai, Hunts continues to emphasize his commitment to painting directly from life.
About this artwork+
The painting depicts a vibrant, rain-soaked street scene in Vilnius. Pedestrians, some holding colorful umbrellas, navigate the glossy wet cobblestones that reflect the city lights beautifully. The architecture is distinctly European, with facades featuring a variety of colors and details, from earthy yellows to deep reds. A prominent church tower, rendered in purple and gray hues, rises into the overcast sky, which streaks with pink and blue, suggesting either the onset of evening or the remnants of a passing storm. Street lamps add a cozy glow to the moody atmosphere, illuminating the scene with a soft light that enhances the reflective surfaces and the wet, shimmering paths. The overall ambiance is both dynamic and serene, encapsulating a typical rainy day in a historic European city.
